Adam Christensen, center, and his kids, from left Olivia, 4, Henry, 2, and Anna, 7, at head up a sledding hill at E. Gaynor Brennan Municipal Golf Course during a snowstorm in Stamford, Conn. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2010. less

Adam Christensen, center, and his kids, from left Olivia, 4, Henry, 2, and Anna, 7, at head up a sledding hill at E. Gaynor Brennan Municipal Golf Course during a snowstorm in Stamford, Conn. on Tuesday, Feb. ... more

"Do it again", shouts Michael DaSilva, 3, as he gets a free ride up a small hill off of Mulberry Street from friend Kyra O'Connor, 12, both of Stamford, Conn., as the pair enjoyed the snow storm sledding in their Springdale neighborhood, Wednesday, Feb. 10th, 2010. less

"Do it again", shouts Michael DaSilva, 3, as he gets a free ride up a small hill off of Mulberry Street from friend Kyra O'Connor, 12, both of Stamford, Conn., as the pair enjoyed the snow storm sledding in ... more

Kyra O'Connor, 12, screams as the neighborhood dog, Max, pulls her through the snow in a lot off of Mulberry Street in Stamford, Connecticut. O'Connor had the day off from Dolan Middle School due to the snow storm which forced the cancellation of all area schools, Feb. 10th, 2010. less

Kyra O'Connor, 12, screams as the neighborhood dog, Max, pulls her through the snow in a lot off of Mulberry Street in Stamford, Connecticut. O'Connor had the day off from Dolan Middle School due to the snow ... more

Wednesday night's wind gusts of 35 mph and blowing snow will make for poor visibility for motorists, Dickman said.

"There are some pretty decent snow bands that are expected to move through southern Connecticut through the early evening," Dickman said. "The wind will pick up so folks that are driving around (Wednesday night) shouldn't be fooled when the visibility is bad."

Snow began falling around 7 a.m. Wednesday, with about 6 inches accumulating throughout the day, far less than the foot or more forecast throughout the day, Stamford Operations Director Ernie Orgera said.

"The roads are pretty clear now," Orgera said Wednesday afternoon. "We're expecting about an inch or two more at most but that will be about it."

With most schools closed, traffic was light, Stamford Police Capt. Brian McElligott said, though anticipated snowfall later in the day and freezing temperatures were expected to make roads treacherous.

If weather creates significant problems such as power outages and numerous accidents into Thursday, police officers on shift may be held over to assist with calls, he said.

"I think this is starting to have the potential to be serious," McElligott said Wednesday morning. "So far, traffic has been light with schools closed but it is coming down a lot heavier than it was."

Resnick advised motorists to drive more slowly on wet, snow-covered roads, allowing more following distance for vehicles in front of them.

On Wednesday morning, Metro-North Railroad saw a 39 percent drop in ridership from a daily average of 55,000 passengers to 43,000 passengers, spokeswoman Marjorie Anders said.

The railroad offered additional outbound service from noon to 4 p.m. in order to accommodate an expected surge of commuters returning home early. Trains were running on or close to schedule at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Anders said.

Greenwich police investigated only four accidents during rush hour, none with injuries, said Lt. Daniel Allen, a department spokesman.

Patrol cars were equipped with snow chains throughout the day as roads were expected to become more and more hazardous, especially in the town's backcountry areas, Allen said.

"With a lot of businesses closed today, it gives the plows a chance to do a better job clearing the roads," he said.

Orgera said cleanup efforts will continue throughout the night, and that higher winds would probably result in some fallen tree limbs and some power outages before Thursday morning.

Some residents who were off work or school bundled up and indulged seasonal pastimes.

On Wednesday afternoon, Marlon Oreana, 16, and Hilario De La Cruz, 32, built three snowmen in the front yard of a home on High Ridge Road in Stamford.

"I really like the winter and the snow," said De La Cruz, who works for a heating/air conditioning company.

At Stamford's Scalzi Park, Jim Azzola, 50, trudged on cross-country skis, but said the wet, heavy snow made for harder going.

Azzola's flight to California was canceled Wednesday, giving him the opportunity to relax.

"When we have a lot of snow, I like to take the opportunity to enjoy it, because I don't think we get enough big storms," said Azzola, a Boston native.

Dickman said that Thursday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high temperature of 34 degrees, though temperatures will drop Thursday night as low as 18 degrees.